On Experience

“It’s a journey, and the sad thing is you only learn from experience, so as much as someone can tell you things, you have to go out there and make your own mistakes in order to learn.”

-Emma Watson

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Dad & Me, 1963ish. Do parents still read to their children?

There are a plethora of lessons my father taught me, that unfortunately fell on deaf ears. It wasn’t until I would find myself half-buried in quicksand (remember quicksand?) that I recalled his words, albeit a bit too late.

Yes, I learn the hard way, but I learn nonetheless.

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Hi, My Name Is Ray & . . .

ImageHi, my name is Ray and I am a Thin Mints addict.

My story, which is one of my favorites tell, is We Both Knew.

I will note, that I am not making fun of addictions. Far from that. I’m simply admitting that I am powerless over my desire for these cookies. 

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All You Need

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” – Cicero

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Ron & me, in front of Nudy’s, October 2018

I will add that a good friend and a bottle of wine will enhance the experience.

(Remembering a friend who died six years ago today. While he didn’t have a garden, we spent countless hours in his library, talking of books, drinking wine and solving the world’s problems. See link above for the backstory).

 

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Not that I need an excuse, . .

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Sunday Pipes #218

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, played on a Theatre organ, but you take what you can get.

I do give extra credit for the cuff links.

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Age Changes Everything

ImageOne of my work buddies and I were at Hooters the other day having lunch. He asked me which of the waitresses I would want to be stuck with in an elevator?

I responded, “The one that can fix elevators. I’m old, I’m tired and I pee a lot”

Note: For the record and for my wife’s benefit,  I have never been inside a Hooters.

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You Gotta Earn It!

“There is the greatest practical benefit in making a few failures early in life.”

-Thomas Henry Husley

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“Eddie the Otter”

“Before you can be a gracious winner, you must learn to accept being a loser every now and then.”

-Ray Visotski

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And For The Million Hours That We Were . . .

While not a charting hit like Happy or All For You, Champagne High has always been a favorite of fans, also known as “Hazelnuts.” of the band.

Sister Hazel has put out quite a catalogue of music and I own just about everything they have put out.

Here is an acoustic version, with strings, and Ryan on the mandolin, setting aside his SG electric guitar.

A song about decisions.

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On Love

Image“We must love them both, those whose opinion we share and those whose opinions we reject.” – Thomas Aquinas

via Chris Lynch’s Quotes of the Day

Is this worthy goal even possible today?

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On Taming Voices

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Our Maggie, almost 10 years ago. She was a sweet girl.

“Stop a minute, right where you are. Relax your shoulders, shake your head and spine, like a dog shaking off cold water. Tell that imperious voice in your head to be still”

-Barbara Kingsolver

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